'Papa Jake' Larson: Fundraising Campaign Underway to Pay for Bronze Statue of Martinez's Beloved WWII Vet
“I will seek to capture Papa Jake’s unique spirit, infectious smile and that twinkle in his eyes,” sculptor says
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By Sam Richards
A courageous “Papa Jake” Larson was a proud and decorated member of the U. S. Army’s 135th Infantry Regiment, having fought in six major World War II battles in Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Normandy, the famous crossing by 160,000 Allied troops from England into France in June 1944 to liberate western Europe from German occupation. Larson was awarded the Bronze Star for his service, and in February 2015, the Legion of Honor award from the French government.
He later wrote his memoir, “The Luckiest Man in the World: Stories from the Life of Papa Jake,” and, shortly before his death, won (along with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour) an Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Interview on CNN, from the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings about his Normandy experiences.
Jake Larson during World War II
This military ambassador, the last surviving member of the Army’s 135th Infantry Regiment, died on July 17 at 102, had yet another claim to fame, too. Starting in his late 90s until shortly before his death, he was a TikTok star, with the help of his granddaughter, sharing videos in which he detailed his wartime exploits, as well as more personal stories, as “Story Time with Papa Jake.” His warm, personal style and his sharp recall came through clearly on these videos, resonating with a new generation. It earned him worldwide recognition – and 1.2 million followers.
“There was just something magical about his personality,” said Brandy Leidgen, who had become a close friend of Larson in his final years. “I don’t think there was a more famous World War II veteran than Papa Jake.”
Now, longtime Martinez resident Larson is set to receive some local love, in the form of a life-size bronze statue planned to be installed on the south side of Plaza Ignacio, near City Hall. The Martinez City Council unanimously approved the public art application for the statue on Oct. 22, and a fundraising campaign to raise $200,000 is underway.
The statue, to be created by sculptor Paula B. Slater, will be mounted on a 3-foot-tall gray granite base, which will include plaques. Benches will be installed on either side of the statue.
The design of the “Papa Jake” Larson statue
To fund the statue project, orders are being taken on the website papajakelarson.com for custom-engraved bricks that will surround the statue’s base. The smaller 4-by-8-inch bricks are $200 each, while 12-by-12-inch bricks are $2,500 each. There is also a button for the website for cash donations of any amount, and all donations are tax deductible.
